Portsmouth Packages/Deals & Travel Agents Near Me

Overview

Introduction

Colorful little Portsmouth, 20 mi/32 km north of Roseau, on the banks of beautiful Prince Rupert Bay, is Dominica's second-largest settlement and the most popular location for private yachts to set their anchors. To say it's loaded with places to see and things to do would be misleading, but it does make a good base for travelers who have lots of time and want to see the northern part of the island thoroughly.

Among the activities in the area is a rowboat trip up the peaceful Indian River—a mangrove-lined shady river that has been featured in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. The boat trip is a great way to learn about Dominica's diverse nature and its various bird species. You should be able to hear the call of the pearly-eyed thrasher or the cackling cry of the kingfisher as it flies ahead of the boat.

Overview

Introduction

New Hampshire's one-time capital and only major seaport is a pleasantly small, low-key city. Start your visit with a stroll through Strawbery Banke, a 10-acre/4-hectare open-air museum. Wander around the collection of more than 40 structures, some of them dating back to 1695. Many of them have resident artisans demonstrating cabinetmaking, boatbuilding and other crafts.

There's plenty more vintage architecture outside Strawbery Banke. Among the choices are the 1784 Governor John Langdon House, the Rundlett-May House from 1807 (with a secret underground passage that was used to get to the mills), the 1763 Moffatt-Ladd House, the 1758 John Paul Jones House (where the famous naval hero once lived), the 1716 Warner House and the 1760 Wentworth Gardner House. Be aware that these homes are typically open only late spring-autumn. St. John's Church is a stately edifice with many appointments from the 1700s (including the Brattle Organ, said to be the oldest pipe organ in the country). Depending on your interests, there are several good walking tours throughout the city, highlighting impressive architecture and places of historical interest; maps of the self-guided tours are available at various venues in the city. Don't miss the magnificent flower gardens at Prescott Park across the street from the entrance to Strawbery Banke; in the summer, various live entertainments are staged there.

We particularly recommend taking a sightseeing cruise (some include a picnic lunch) through Portsmouth Harbor to the Isles of Shoals about 10 mi/16 km off the coast; you'll sail on the MV Thomas Laighton, a replica of a steamship from the 1800s (mid-June to Labor Day). In many ways, this is a magical location. Nineteenth-century writer Celia Thaxter lived and worked on Appledore Island, and the island called Smuttynose reputedly has been haunted since a gruesome murder there in 1873. Another nautical option is the whale-watching cruise on the Oceanic (late May-early January). If there's time, see the Piscataqua River Gundalow, a reproduction of a traditional river barge on the Piscataqua River, and the USS Albacore, a 1952 submarine that set numerous underwater speed records.

If you're traveling with kids, you may want to visit the Children's Museum of Portsmouth. It has performances, workshops and hands-on exhibits.

Just 3 mi/5 km from Portsmouth is the tiny but impressive island of New Castle (accessed via bridge), home to the impeccably restored (and saved from near-ruin) Wentworth by the Sea. Built in 1874, this was one of 19th-century New England's grandest oceanfront resorts, catering to the well-heeled. It was also the site of the signing of the 1905 Russo-Japanese Treaty (for which President Theodore Roosevelt gets credit in the history books, even though he was at home in New York at the time). This old beauty stood neglected and abandoned for years until the Marriott Hotel chain rescued and completely refurbished it in 2003. It's a great spot to spend the night (no bargain, but worth the extra cash in our opinion) or have lunch by the sea. The tiny island is also good for walking. Notice the wealth of colonial architecture, distant views and the remnants of a 17th-century military fort.

Annual events in Portsmouth include Market Square Weekend (street fair, food, crafts—June); Seacoast Jazz Weekend (jazz performances and a jazz cruise—June); and the Candlelight Tour of Historic Homes (nighttime tour of homes—mid-August). 40 mi/65 km east of Concord.

Overview

Introduction

An interesting and historic port town 65 mi/105 km southwest of London, Portsmouth, England, is home base for the Royal Navy. Charles Dickens was born there, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Rudyard Kipling and H.G. Wells put in some time at Portsmouth as well. Be sure to visit HMS Warrior (the first armor-plated warship) and HMS Victory (the beautifully restored wooden ship commanded by Lord Nelson during the Napoleonic Wars). For naval history buffs, the Royal Navy Museum is a must-see.

Make a side trip to the Royal Navy Submarine Museum and the Museum of Naval Firepower in nearby Gosport (the ferry ride to Gosport is itself an enjoyable experience). There are also boat trips around the harbor, the Spinnaker Tower, and an entertainment and shopping complex at Gunwharf Quay. In Portchester, between Portsmouth and Gosport, there are the impressive ruins of a Norman castle built using the walls of an ancient Roman fort. Just north of town are two Victorian-era forts open to the public.

Location

Shore Excursions